God is good. He does not perform evil, but many times in scripture we see that God does allow people to go through things that are not good, typically because of their disobedience

This is the point that we’re at with Saul. He has been disobedient. He has been bad, so now, God is allowing him to go through the pain of bad things

Understand this- the bible describes many times where the Punishment of God comes upon people who are disobedient. He brought the flood of Genesis to purge the earth because of its evil, he destroyed cities that refused to repent, walk in disobedience- bad things happen

2 Peter 2:4-6 God will punish

Miller said- Retribution upon flagrant, ongoing, impenitent lawlessness is not only right and appropriate; it is absolutely indispensable and necessary

Understand this tho- When the Bible uses the word “evil” in this case it is not in the sense of a spirit of the Devil, as much as it is broad term that doesn’t always refer to spiritual wickedness- it often is in regards to physical harm or painful experiences as a byproduct of sin

James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

Many commentators speak of the linguistic and historical nuance of the ancient Hebrew language in regards to the Hebrew word ‘ruach’ spirit and ‘evil’ and how all of this leads the reader to believe that God was not causing evil, but allowing it upon the sinner

Example- government-Romans 13:4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil EX- Life is bad bc decisions- God is doing it- NO

God is not performing the evil, or allowing ‘evil’ in this sense, but the wrath that falls upon the lawless is God ‘allowing it’ when he’s not actually the one performing it

A just punishment for a just action by a just God- our God is a God of Justice

Romans 1- “he gave them over” God didn’t make people perform the evil- but he did allow it

This distressing spirit maybe well have been Sauls own bad attitude that had come upon him- not specifically a demonic spirit that God sent on him, but a manifestation of his unrepentant heart and spirit that was externally displayed to others

wickedness can be used by God to accomplish his purposes, while not being the author of it

We have to be honest about what the scriptures say

Proverbs 16:4 The Lord has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.

Isaiah 45:7 I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.’

What does it mean to you?

You have to live with the reality of understanding that if you are serving God, and then you turn away from serving God that bad things will happen to you.

People who live in unrepentant sin will experience death and may eventually stop serving God

The Bible is clear- when you sin- the by-product of sin is bad things. But God isn’t the one who is causing this sin, or creating this sin, the action of the individual creates the evil

Rom 6:23 the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jas 1:15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

When you sin, you create death. Death is evil. It is not life. Byproduct of sin is always death

Saul- he went from King of Israel to being removed being tormented by a spirit. Regardless of if it was in him, or on him, his sin produced death

Eze 33:18 When the righteous turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, he shall die because of it. As a Christian- we should be doing everything we can to stop sinning

We WERE sinners- we came to Christ and we were saved from our sin- the penalty of it

THE GOSPEL- you were born into sin- turn from your sin towards Jesus for forgiveness

you may have noticed- you still struggle with sin as a Christian even while being forgiven of it

This is why Paul had many admonitions to Church people to stop sinning even tho FORGIVEN

1 Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin;

Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

If you fight sin- you experience life- if you continue in your sin- you will experience death

My past struggle with pornography- I was still saved- but wear did it end if I had not stopped? I think its better to not find out- STOP IT. I’m no longer a sinner BC of Christ- but still SIN

Why? its possible for people to fall away! for people to Stop serving Christ because of sin-

If sin creates death- the only by product of continual unrepentant sin is to eventually stop serving Christ- To turn back to sin and live in it- sin always produces death

2 Peter 2:21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.

We must live with an expectation and hope of removing sin from our lives at whatever cost

If a man comes to Christ is a wife beater- is it possible that he could stop that upon being saved? You must answer yes- and if you can stop that, which sin next? Move towards holiness

Is it possible that as you walk through your life, moving towards heaven that you are continually working on removing those sins from your life? Mt 5:48 says to be perfect! w/o holiness heb 12

The Bible does not have good things to say about people who know the truth and turn to SIN

Ezekiel 18:24 “But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? All the righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; because of the unfaithfulness of which he is guilty and the sin which he has committed, because of them he shall die.

Pr 21:16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.

Heb 10:27 26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

The Bible is clear that there are people who are serving God, that will stop serving God and give themselves over to sin

1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

Often times we are in sin- and we know that we are in sin and are warring against it

Doing what we can to fight it- to find the root and remove it- by whatever means

2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.

In this story- it appears as if Saul didn’t realize that his countenance had changed-

15 And Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you.

The people around Saul noticed that something had changed with Saul- they told him

James 5:19-20 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

The people around Saul could see that he wasn’t well- and they wanted to help him

They are going to get some worship music and get him spooled up but this is important

What does it mean to you?

Two things- you must be willing to lovingly confront a brother in sin, and receive correction when you are in sin. IN LOVE LOVE LOVE. Not to the unbeliever- only in relationship